Hi-Spec Build help

I Dropped My Yop

So I'm looking to build my own rig but I havent been keeping up to date with the latest hardware and I feel a bit... overwhelmed.
It'll primarily be used for graphic/video/web design with gaming as a bonus.
I'll want to use multiple monitors with it also.

I'm willing to spend between 1k - 1.5k(can go higher if really needed) on it with performance/value being more important than over the top extravagance (ie if a cheaper part does almost as good a job, I'd rather that). Size / looks are unimportant.

For processor, does the i5 seem like better value than i7 without huge performance difference?
I would prob want as much RAM as possible, and an SSD for primary drive.
For the graphics card(s) I'm completely open to suggestion, getting the best one possible within my budget after everything else.
I'd want a good audio card, but it's not a priority.

Also, from what I can see with monitors, IPS seems to be the best for graphic design... such as the Dell Ultrasharp.
These seem to be pricey, which will affect my overall budget.

Thanks in advance

Monotype

Intel Core i5-2500K Tray, LGA1155|€172.40
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit (SB-Version)|€74.51
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA|€16.63
ASRock Z68 Pro3 (B3), Sockel 1155, ATX|€91.79
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1000GB, SATA II (HD103SJ)|€46.19
Crucial M4 128GB SSD 6,4cm (2,5")|€158.54
FRACTAL DESIGN Gehäuse DEFINE R3 Black Pearl|€89.75
2 x 8GB-Kit GEIL Value PC3-10667 DDR3-1333 CL9|€35.57
Scythe Mugen 3, für alle Sockel geeignet|€33.84
ASUS EAH6870 DC/2DI2S/1GD5, AMD Radeon HD 6870, 1GB, PCI- Express|€141.35

+

http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_04RAND/16_MONITOR/01_MONITOR/productdetails/15586491/Dell_27_LCD_UltraSharp_U2711_IPS/210_31173/default.aspx

Total build cost: €896.14 + 599 + €30 shipping = €1525

You could scale back the SSD to 64GB depending on your needs. You possibly don't need 16GB of RAM and if you take games seriously you make need to increase the graphics power.

I Dropped My Yop

Thanks, Looks good.

I should prob have mentioned that I already have Windows 7, so that saves a bit of cash.
600 quid also seems a bit too much for me to spend on the monitor, I'd be looking to spend around half that.
Ive seen the likes of the Dell UltraSharp U2311H for 230 on komplett,
or the Dell 24" UltraSharp U2412M for 300.
I know they are smaller but 24" should be big enough, and sure i could get 2 for the price of the 27". Colour accuracy is more important than size for me.

So taking 300 out, leaves me with a budget of around 1200 for the rest.

Monotype

If you pick one of those monitors, you'll be fine with a 6870 in games.

Other possible upgrades that you might like are possibly a better motherboard if you need things like firewire or eSATA. Your line of work might need more storage too. Maybe a blu ray drive?

I Dropped My Yop

No, a basic dvd two drive would do me fine.
I prob wouldn't mind spending a bit more on the graphics card. I'll prob be looking to add
a second monitor in the future so one that could handle that.
Also i might look for an audio card that can output surround sound. Nothing amazing, are they expensive?

Monotype

That board supports surround sound with jack and optical SPDIF connectors. If you need other connectors or higher quality, you may need a sound card. Someone else might will be able to help you better than me with that.

That card will support two monitors (three if you use one a displayport connector) but it might be no harm to increase to a 6950 if you want to run games at the increased resolution. You'd have to scale back game detail a bit with multiple monitors unless you get very high end or two graphics card.

I Dropped My Yop

After a few long nights researching this, I've come to what I think is my final build. I used a lot of Monotype's suggestions, and added a few components I need.
I wasnt sure about the PSU, is the one I have here too much for the system? Seems pricey.(I will probably OC the system, nothing crazy)
Also, Ive decided to go for the 6950... from what Ive seen the MSI Twin Frozr version is better but isnt available on HWVD at the moment(says more than 7 days.. how long does that normally mean?).
The Sapphire seems just as good, and there is little difference between this version and the Flex, am I correct?

Would it also be worth my while upgrading the motherboard? This one seems good and has got good reviews, but if I wanted to add a 2nd graphics card in the future i'd be screwed.
What about the MSI P67A-GD53 ? Or the ASRock Z68 Extreme4 (B3)? Is there any difference between p67 and z68 chipsets?

FRACTAL DESIGN Gehäuse DEFINE R3 Black Pearl €89.75
Intel Core i5-2500K Tray, LGA1155 €177.52
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA €16.68
Crucial M4 128GB SSD 6,4cm (2,5") €161.69
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1000GB, SATA II (HD103SJ) €46.19
Scythe Mugen 3, für alle Sockel geeignet €33.11
Scythe Slip Stream 120 mm Lüfter, 1600rpm €5.68
ASUS PCE-N10 €17.50
Antec High Current Pro HCP-750 €135.67
Sapphire HD 6950 Dirt3, 2GB GDDR5 PCI-Express €220.27
Edifier 2.1 System E1100 €40.89
ASRock Z68 Pro3 (B3), Sockel 1155, ATX €91.79
16GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-12800U CL9-9-9-24 (DDR3-1600) €84.82
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 USB black €13.09

Dell U2412M Ultrasharp Monitor €299

Total build cost: €1,134.65 + €30 shipping + €299 Monitor = €1463.65

Any more suggestions are welcome!

Monotype

Both are good boards.
The biggest significant feature in them is that they will allow for a second GPU (provided that you have an adequate power supply unit to support it).

Z68 is newer and has a few extra features - you can use the integrated graphics (which you can switch between, use for extra monitors or help accelerated encoding) and SSD caching (good for reusing older or smaller SSDs to accelerate performance). When you have a good SSD and a dedicated card, these features are of very little use.

That PSUs a bit dear alright. (A good) 650W is enough for two 6950s or 500W for one.

If you want to keep the gold rated efficiency, there's the golden green 750W
http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38017
It's not modular though. The 650W version is out of stock.

The cheapest is the amazon 650W
http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=24479

Or close by is the Corsair TXv2.
http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=46158
I think this is a seasonic unit so it will be similar to the XFX 650W (also seasonic build and out of stock).

The A-data 650W at komplett for €59 is the cheapest good 650W PSU which is modular.
http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/Site/Catalog/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=80002628&utm_source=wm_110905a_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=w1136_weekly&src=wm_110905a
It's €86 on HWV.

The XFX 750W is in stock if you want a bit more room than 650W
http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=42451

If a modular PSU is important, I'll pick out more of those.

I Dropped My Yop

FRACTAL DESIGN Gehäuse DEFINE R3 Black Pearl €89.75
Intel Core i5-2500K Tray, LGA1155 €177.52
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA €16.68
Crucial M4 128GB SSD 6,4cm (2,5") €161.69
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1000GB, SATA II (HD103SJ) €46.19
Scythe Mugen 3, für alle Sockel geeignet €33.11
Scythe Slip Stream 120 mm Lüfter, 1600rpm €5.68
ASUS PCE-N10 €17.50
Sapphire HD 6950 Dirt3, 2GB GDDR5 PCI-Express €220.27
Edifier 2.1 System E1100 €40.89
16GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-12800U CL9-9-9-24 (DDR3-1600) €84.82
ASRock Z68 Pro3 (B3), Sockel 1155, ATX €91.79
Super-Flower SF650P14XE Golden Green Pro 80plus gold €80.00

Total build cost: €1,065.89 + €30 shipping + €300 for monitor = €1395.89

I removed the keyboard as I realised it would be a german one, but I can pick one up anytime.
I'm going to stick with the Z68 Pro, as I doubt I'll ever put a second card on.
The PSU has been downgraded to the 650W S-F, while still having gold effeciency and giving me a bit of room to play around. Not being modular doesnt bother me.

Everything is in stock at HWVD and the monitor will apparently be back in stock at Komplett in 1 day. Im going to order now so I'll get back in a while to let ya know how I got on.
Thanks for the help Monotype!